Category Archives: Worship

Evensong with Bishop Medley

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Choral Evensong
06 March 2016
Featuring the music of John Medley, first Bishop of Fredericton

The first Bishop of Fredericton is perhaps best known for the establishment of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, the building of its Cathedral of Christ Church and many other churches throughout New Brunswick. Medley supported free pews, free-will offerings and the development of diocesan synods. He was the author of Hymns for Public Worship in the Diocese of Fredericton (1855, 1863, 1870).medley_john

It may be unknown to some that Bishop Medley’s interests and skills reached far beyond being a recognized scholar, gifted preacher, priest and Bishop. Among the skills that would reach deeply into other areas of church life were his musical abilities. During the early years of the Fredericton Cathedral, Bishop Medley was the primary preacher, director of music and chief pastor. His contribution to church music during the later half of the 19th century was significant.

“…undoubtedly [Medley was] the most prolific and talented anthem composer of post-confederation 19th century Canada,” Dr. Willis Noble, Director of Music and Organist at Christ Church Cathedral said. He is credited with several chant tune compositions, anthems and responsible for the introduction of the first Diocesan Hymnal in 1855. 1

…undoubtedly [Medley was] the most prolific and talented anthem composer of post-confederation 19th century Canada

160306_evensong1Prior to his becoming Bishop, several tragic domestic occurrences included the death of his second son in 1839, his wife in 1841, his oldest daughter in 1843 and his mother in a carriage accident in 1844 in which Medley himself was involved but survived with injuries. It was in the fall of 1844, that the then Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to the Rev’d John Medley, then prebendary of Exeter cathedral:

REVEREND Sir,
It has been determined to separate the Province of New Brunswick from the Bishopric of Nova Scotia, of which it now forms part, and to erect it into an independent Bishopric.
It is most desirable that this important station should be filled by a clergyman well qualified by learning and ability, by temper and judgment, by piety and soundness of doctrine, to discharge its arduous duties.
I have been informed by competent judges that you possess these qualifications in no ordinary degree, and their report has been fully confirmed by the answer of the Bishop of Exeter to my inquiries. I therefore request your permission to mention your name to Lord Stanley as Bishop.
The office is not to be coveted on account of its emoluments … 2

medley_chantAmong the Medley selections scheduled to be sung on 06 March are:

“They Shall Hunger No More”
“Shew Me Thy Ways”
“O Praise the Lord”

A verbal presentation on the life, theology and music of Bishop Medley will precede Evensong at about 3:30 p.m..

1. Harding, Lyman N., Citizens with the Saints, 1995
2. Ketchum, William Quintard, The Life and Work of the Most Reverend John Medley, D.D.: First Bishop of Fredericton, 1893

We say goodbye to Willis Noble

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At the Cathedral we’ll say goodbye to Willis Noble, Director of Music, on the last Sunday in March.  Willis plans to embark on a journey of further academic studies early next fall and will be moving to Toronto.

The Cathedral congregations will say thank you to Willis on Easter Sunday, 27 March following a 10:30 a.m. combined worship when he insists that he will provide the cake, as his own  expression of thanksgiving. “I have nothing but fondness for the people and of my time at the Cathedral,” Willis said.

“The past ten years are some of my most cherished memories and I am thankful for the time I’ve spent with the Cathedral community.”

As an accomplished organist, teacher and choral director, Willis has also successfully continued to nurture a contemporary Christian music group leading the more informal styled 11:45 a.m. worship on Sundays.

Dean Geoffrey Hall said, “I’ve not known a church musician with whom it is easier to work.  Willis hasw_noble a grasp of liturgy and the theological and a breadth of musical ability that has made him a very good fit for the needs of the Cathedral over the past decade.”

“I’ve not known a church musician with whom it is easier to work.” Dean Geoffrey Hall

Of course the Cathedral has been only part of his contribution to the musical community while in Fredericton.  Willis has also been part of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Fine Arts at St. Thomas University. Reporting his being honoured by the New Brunswick Choral Federation for his distinguished service to choral music in the province in 2013 and the Stanley B. Cassidy Memorial Award by the Fredericton Music Society for his outstanding contribution to music in the Fredericton community, the STU website had this to say about him:

“Willis is not only a fantastic musician with an illustrious professional career, but also an extraordinary teacher and a wonderful colleague,” says Dr. Martin Kutnowski, Chair of the Fine Arts Department. He teaches a wide range of courses. Given the satisfaction of his students, it’s clear that Willis feels equally at home when teaching the most basic elements of music, as in a music rudiments class, or when teaching the challenging subject of music and meaning, and everything in between. We are very lucky to have him at STU.”

choirBeing of the Christian faith few at the Cathedral would  put luck high on a list of why things are the way they are. We can only give thanks that God called Willis to spend these past ten years with us.  We wish him well as he moves on to new endeavours.

From 1997-2005, Dr. Noble was Director of Music at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto and Director of Music for Trinity College, University of Toronto. He was also an Associate Professor of Divinity at Trinity College.

Until 1997, Dr. Noble was head of the Department of Music at Mount Allison University, where he taught church music, organ, and choral music. He also conducted the Chamber Choir. He was also the Organist and Choir Director of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Sackville, a position he held from 1984 to 1997.

Dr. Noble has extensive teaching experience, including history of choral music, church music (especially Canadian repertoire), and Baroque music. He was also a member of the board of the New Brunswick Choral Federation, and Director of the Diocesan School of Church Music. He is an active recitalist specializing in Canadian Organ Repertoire.

Willis has a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Toronto, and has earned a doctorate from Indiana University in 1982.  He is the author of ‘Sacred Choral Music in Canada.’